Chapter 54

Callani was comfortably seated in a padded chair when Rigilo, Darras, and Jertin were permitted entry by a stern-looking lady waiting. The infant Princess Armanth was sleeping peacefully in a cot nearby, and several maids were fussing around the room, making the bed and sorting out laundry.

“Darras, be welcome,” Callani said.

“It is good to see you, Lady Callani; I’m told the birth went well,” Darras replied.

“It did, as uncomfortable as these things are,” Callani smiled.

“Erren wished to bless the princess, may she?”

“Of course, she is our goddess and needn’t ask.”

The spiritual form of Erren stepped out from Darras and approached the cot, stretching out an arm above the sleeping infant. “Armanth, may your life be filled with joy and happiness; you will bring great honour upon the house of Rachtele.”

“Quite the blessing,” Rigilo said as Erren retreated into Darras.

“Enjoy the surprises,” Darras chuckled, producing a hand-stitched soft toy and placing it in the cot. “Erren loves making these; remember, it is a toy, not an ornament.”

“We will,” Rigilo chuckled.

“How goes Rachtelin these days?” Darras asked the pair.

“With the noose of the loans and the interest we paid on them off our back thanks to the Forest Kingdom, the country is rapidly recovering,” Callani replied. “That said, twenty years of lack of investment in the infrastructure will take a while to remedy.”

“Roads?” Darras asked.

“Not really; most of our roads were built during the Golden Empire of the Elves and remained in good condition,” Rigilo replied. “The main issues are the disrepair of various buildings and the water supply.”

“The River Rachtele used to be navigable by barge from Rachtelin up to Lake Suren,” Callani added. “Now it’s silted up, and the barges rotted, so all goods go by road and clog up our roads for merchants and troops.”

“I take it both earth and water magic users are now involved?” Darras asked.

“Yes, and charging us through the nose, as ever,” Rigilo grimaced.

“We’re recouping costs slightly by selling the silt to various farms as a type of fertiliser,” Callani added. “But it’s still a drain, if necessary.”

“About the only good thing so far is that our people aren’t starving, and the surplus is exportable,” Rigilo smiled. “Even so, the extra revenue by taxation is mostly used to service the loan or invest in further trade expansion.”

“You’ll get continuing good harvests as Erren blesses your crops,” Darras confirmed.

“It’s appreciated, but doesn’t Cheelath also have a say in this?” Callani asked.

“I’ve never met her,” Darras shrugged. “Erren simply tells me the crops will be blessed, not how she goes about it.”

“Well, we encourage our folk to praise her anyway,” Callani smiled. “Can’t hurt.”

“It doesn’t,” Darras chuckled, feeling Erren’s agreement. “I’d be cautious of scorning any god or goddess, even if they oppose Erren’s plans.”

“Yes, we still permit the Darmelans to exist here despite their links to Fordel.”

“Though we remove any we find spying or otherwise breaking our laws,” Rigilo added. “Their sentences tend to be hard labour in our work gangs.”

“I take it they are not too popular amongst the ordinary folk?” Darras asked.

“They aren’t, though they still have a following amongst some of our mercantile class.”

“So, how long to full recovery?” Darras asked.

“If you mean Fordel? Two years,” Rigilo chuckled. “We still remain hostile as they will not return various national treasures looted by the former Council.”

“Do they claim that the former Council are refugees?” Darras asked.

“A government in exile,” Callani sighed. “Hence entitled to hold onto the treasures of state.”

“Despite selling them to fund their comfortable lifestyles,” Rigilo added. “Nor are we in a position to bid on any items as yet, nor would I care to fund my former enemies.”

‘I’m keeping an eye on the major items, ’ Erren informed Darras. ‘Unfortunately, I cannot keep track of most.’

Darras passed this information on, getting nods of satisfaction from Rigilo, Callani and Jertin. “When you choose to invade, invite Amina and her people along; they may be able to help.”

“A good idea, Darras,” Rigilo nodded.

After a pleasant conversation, Darras allowed Rigilo to return to his administrative duties and stopped to have an ale with Jertin in the central hall.

“How is Rienne?” Darras asked.

“She is well, though currently busy sorting out issues with our new home,” Jertin replied. “It was looted extensively by the forces of the former Council and the locals, we suspect.”

“Not the former Baron?”

“I suspect not, for all Mirrs was his barony; he rarely went there in person, much preferring the comforts of the capital.”

“He was perhaps their most competent commander in the field,” Darras nodded. “So, I doubt he kept much of value there anyway.”

“Perhaps, but it’s keeping Rienne busy turning it from a shell of a building into a family home,” Jertin chuckled. “Something the followers of Rigilo, given the new lands, all have to do.”

“Be thankful it didn’t turn into a bloodbath, as Colanthus desired.”

“For that, we are all grateful, my friend.”

“Welcome back, my love,” Erren greeted Darras.

“An easy mission, for once,” Darras chuckled.

“True, but necessary.”

“How go the other matters?” Darras asked.

“Balat has succeeded in forming and enabling a gateway; he returned to Doriel’s home as you travelled,” “Erren replied. “Elven scouts are already scouting out the environs, grateful for the insulated armour I can now supply them.”

“Pelegard came through nicely,” Darras nodded.

“When you can play with time to a certain extent, such matters are easy enough.”

“Let’s hope they can give you the information we need to mount an attack.”

“I’m sure they will, though; at the moment, I have them trying to infiltrate the area near the volcanos,” Erren replied.

“Not an easy task, from what Firios reported.”

“Not easy at all,” Erren agreed. “But, if anyone can do it, it will be elves.”

“Any tasks for me?”

“A visit to Dobra to hand various documents for Amina and the Thieves Guild to go over.”

“Documents?”

“Maps of the surrounds of that tower, including a detailed description of the base, including sketches,” Erren explained.

“Yes, that will help, rather than have them devise a plan on the spot,” Darras nodded.

“After that, you’re off to Perdolis, in the south, to deal with an overzealous Darmelan trying to interfere with my worship.”

“Oh, where the intricate glassware comes from?”

“Yes, it’s a desert kingdom, and the fine sands, along with a source of coal called anthracite, enable their creations and keep the kingdom quite wealthy,” Erren replied.

Built around an oasis?”

“Sort of; the underground water table has created a couple of lakes within the area, Perdolis claims; they and wells are the source of their water.”

“Water expensive?”

“Not like Ducloman, but not freely given away for strangers.”

“And what am I to do with this Darmelan?”

“Well, you can’t kill him ... unless he tries to kill you,” Erren replied. “However, you can interfere with the set-up he’s using to try and impoverish my people, as it’s creating a cartel to overcharge them for basic goods and services.”

“Interfere, how?

“By taking the contact details of a food supplier in the Kingdom of Perenoth who will undercut the Darmelan cartel,” Erren explained. “You’ll be there to ensure the cargo remains unmolested, as I doubt the cartel will take kindly to their little racket being upended.”

I take it this Darmelan has prevented contact with other suppliers?” Darras asked.

“Yes, he also controls all the supply wagons and uses this to fix prices,” Erren replied. “He also sells cheaper to his fellow Darmelans.”

“And this new supplier?”

“Has their own wagons,” Erren smiled. “They’re not exactly cheap by the standards of Rachtelin, but the goods are much cheaper than this Darmelan.”

“How long will I need to protect them?”

“Not too long, the cartel is somewhat fragile, united only by Darmelan greed, not trust.”

“So, as soon as someone undercuts them and they can’t stop them, it falls apart?”

“Yes, though you’ll still need to be on your guard, I doubt they’ll be gentle.”

“And the authorities?” Darras asked.

“Don’t really care; they just don’t want trouble interfering with business, or rather, glass sales.”

“I see,” Darras nodded. “When do I go?”

“In a day.”

“Best enjoy the time we have,” Darras chuckled, kissing Erren.

Dobra was as busy as ever, with the central market thriving as Humans and Dwarves competed to get the best bargains from each other. Whilst interesting, Darras chose to stick to his business and headed across the square to the narrow entrance that led into the warren of buildings that housed the Thieves Guild. Darras was granted immediate access as the guards ... though they looked more like drinkers at a tavern, recognised him and sent word to Amina.

“Good to see you, Darras; I hope it’s not bad news?” Amina greeted him.

“No, I’ve just brought over some maps and drawings for you to review,” Darras replied.

“A potential job?”

“Yes, in the frozen north,” Darras replied.

“Interesting? Like the tower of Sunset business?” Amina asked.

“Possibly, though we’re unsure of what’s inside, except for Challis.”

“Ah, you’ve found his home?”

“One of them,” Darras chuckled. “No clues as yet as to where his boss is.”

“I’ll get my best to look over them,” Amina nodded. “What if we need a personal look?”

“Make the request via an offering to Crannok, or speak to Tiruk if he’s here in person.”

“I won’t ask how you know Tiruk is a regular here,” Amina chuckled.

“Going well, is it?”

“Yes,” Amina smiled. “Though he upset some of the guild by not being susceptible to being pickpocketed.”

“Heh,” Darras chuckled. “He has Crannok keeping an eye on him at all times.”

“True, though it didn’t stop some trying.”